On March 9, 1916, Germany declared war on Portugal, followed by Portugal declaring war on Germany and starting to organise Portuguese troops to go to the Western Front.

The effect of the Portuguese participation in World War I was first felt in Madeira on December 3, 1916 when the German U-boat, U-38, captained by Max Valentiner went into Funchal harbour on Madeira and torpedoed and sank 3 ships, CS Dacia (1,856 tons), SS Kanguroo (2,493 tons)[5] and Surprise (680 tons). The commander of the French Gunboat Surprise and 34 of her crew (7 Portuguese) died in the attack. The Dacia, a British cable laying vessel, had previously undertaken war work off the coast of Casablanca and Dakar, was in the process of diverting the South American cable into Brest, France.

Following the attack on the ships, the Germans proceeded to bombard Funchal for two hours from a range of about 2 miles (3 km). Batteries on Madeira returned fire and eventually forced the Germans to withdraw.

In 1917 on December 12, two German U-boats, U-156 and U-157 (captained by Max Valentiner) again bombarded Funchal, Madeira. This time the attack lasted around 30 minutes. Forty, 4.7 inch and 5.9 inch shells were fired. There were 3 fatalities and 17 wounded, In addition, a number of houses and Santa Clara church were hit.

George -how was I supposed to KNOW the answer to your question-if you are saying if you do not know the answer -do not bother looking it up.Please confirm- should the aforementioned be the case.I have no real desire to frustrate the hell out of you-believe me!

Wish you guys wouldn't conflict over where info comes from, your both good guys! I didn't know any of this about Madeira? I sometimes stay in Madeira, Florida on the Gulf Coast in the Winter, now I know where their name is probably derived from!

George -how was I supposed to KNOW the answer to your question-if you are saying if you do not know the answer -do not bother looking it up.Please confirm- should the aforementioned be the case.I have no real desire to frustrate the hell out of you-believe me!

Regards

Jim --anemone

Then write the answer yourself Jim.

I could have looked that up myself but you nearly always take questions posed as a literal, "ask-answered" situation.

In fact, it appears that from my memory I had the essentials correct anyway.

There was an opportunity to discuss the historical relationship between GB and Portugal. BW alluded to that relationship in his post.

The use of verbatim copy and paste does not further discussion.

As for me, I shall try to construct leading questions in a more professional manner to avoid this situation again. Looking back, the question was a rather simple one.

Yes George I do understand-unfortunately I am unable to read the normal printed word to digest and give a precis answer.I use 150% magnification on my screen and can read what I see.Truth to tell it is probably well past time when I should have left the Forum as a "lame duck", but I keep hoping that I can obtain a satisfactory aid for my vision.What more can I say.I will not trouble you more.

We have all seen your cogent responses and very recently at that. I have said before and I will repeat it but the stories of your life experiences and background are priceless information and I thank you for sharing all of it.

Please keep it up and while I do not have a vision problem, I do appreciate that you have a physical challenge that I hope you will continue to meet head on, and on this forum.

Sincerely George== It is not my intention for you feel guilty about me; it is me feeling guilty about myself.I know what I can and cannot do-I am perfectly capable of expressing my thoughts about ANYTHING which I have knowledge of;but without knowledge-- I am licked.Will persevere however.

Comment where you wish but if you don't know something, then it is OK to be silent. There is no pressure for you to be the first to answer a question Jim, with the first thing that you find on the web.

Plenty of questions or themes go unanswered on this forum. I don't take offence at that.